Apple Motion 3 User Manual
Page 1055
Chapter 12
Using Shapes and Masks
1055
 Stroke Length: Stroke Length is mapped horizontally on the mini-curve editor graph
and provides a visual representation of the position of the changes in angle value
(keyframes) over the length of the stroke. Use the sliders or enter a number in the
value field to change the value of the selected keyframe.
Brush Angle Randomness: Defines an amount of variance in the rotation of the stroke
dabs. A value of 0 results in no variance—all dabs have the same rotational value. A
value greater than 0 introduces a variance. The angle for an individual dab is defined by
the Brush Angle and Angle Over Stroke parameters, plus or minus a random value
falling within the Brush Angle Randomness.
Using the default dial or value slider (when the disclosure triangle is closed), the Z
angle is affected. To individually modify the rotation of the dabs in X, Y, and Z space,
click the disclosure triangle.
 Animate: This pop-up menu allows you to change the interpolation for animated 3D
rotation channels. By default, Animate is set to Use Rotation. For more information
about the Animate parameter, see “
Parameters in the Properties Tab
Local 3D: This checkbox allows you to take advantage of Motion’s 3D workspace.
When the Local 3D checkbox is selected, the following become possible:
 When the Face Camera checkbox is selected, paint dabs actively face the camera
when the camera or stroke is rotated and/or animated.
 When the Dab Depth Ordered checkbox is selected, dab ordering remains consistent
when the paint stroke is rotated in X or Y space. When not selected, the dabs jump in
front of each other each time the stroke rotates 180 degrees.
 When the Dynamics checkbox is selected in the Advanced pane, a paint stroke acts
similarly to an emitter—the dabs become particles. When the Local 3D checkbox is
selected, the dabs are animated in 3D space. When the Local 3D checkbox is
deselected, the particles are animated in X and Y space only. For more information on
Dynamics, see “
 When the Dynamics checkbox is selected in the Advanced pane, dabs can be pulled
out of their plane when certain Simulation behaviors are applied. For example, if a
paint stroke has an applied Attracted To behavior (with the Affect Subobjects
checkbox selected), and the target layer is in a different location in Z space, the dabs
are pulled into Z space and move toward the target layer. The paint stroke must be a
member of a 3D group to be pulled out of the X and Y planes by a behavior.
Note: Even in a 2D project, a paint stroke’s general properties can be adjusted in 3D
space. For example, you can modify the Z parameter using the Position, Scale,
Rotation, and Anchor Point controls in the Properties tab of the Inspector.